Closure unit for chamber wall openings



y 5, 1953 F. x. GILG n M 2,637,461

CLOSURE UNIT FOR CHAMBER WALL OPENINGS Filed July 17, 1946 2 SHEETS-$HEET l Fig. 32

"III I III q IIIIIIIII "III" I l-llllllllll l-ll llll ATTORNEY y 5, 1953 F. x. GILG El Al. 2,637,461

CLOSURE UNIT FOR CHAMBER WALL OPENINGS Filed July 1'7, 1946 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

ATTORNEY Patented May 5, 1953 CLOSURE UNIT FOR CHAMBER WALL OPENINGS Frank X- Grilg, Chatham, and John. C. S ingletop,v Jr., 'Watchung, N. J., assignors to The Babcock & Wilcox Company, Rockieigh, N. J a corporation of New Jersey Application July 17, 1946, Serial-No. 684,374

4 Claims. 1.

The invention herein disclosed relates to the: construction and operation of closure units es peoially adapted for association with. chamber wall openings such as are normally provided in the walls of furnaces and other similar closed chambered structures. More specifically, our invention is directed to a type of lance door unit having a pirated door or cover component slida-ble with respect to an associated chamber wall opening through which a lance or other implement may be inserted for cleaning hcattra-nsfer surfaces interiorly of the chamber.

An object of our invention is: the provision of closure means adapted for association with wall openings arranged at relatively close spacings,v

with a separate unit for each such opening and each operable without interference with adjacently positioned units.

An additional object is the provision of. a slid i-ng type door or cover having its opening andclosing movement limited to enable the door when closed to completely cover the opening and when open to be guided by its seat into closed position.

A further object is the provision of a. closure means having its door or cover member openated by a separate element which also serves to maintain the door tight against its seat when in the closed: position.

Our invention also includes: as an object the a provision of a closure means having an associat..- ed frame structure mounted on Wall tubes and serving to protect such tubes from injury when inserting a lance or other implement therebetween.

The various features of novelty which characterize our invention are pointed out with pare ticularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification. For a better understandin of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in whichwe have illustrated and described a preferred em.- bodiment of our invention.

Of the-drawings:

Fig. I is a fragmentary side elevation i=llustrating our invention as embodied at various locations in the setting of a water tube .boilerunit;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary plan section takenalong line .Z'-2- of Fig. ;1

Fig. 3 is a front-view of one. of the door assemblies included in 2,. indicating also its relation to an adjacentnnit;

Fig. 4 is a side view of the assembly i ustrated in Fig. .3, takenalong 1ine4-.- .4;.

Fig. .5 is a sectional viewci the assembly, ta en alon line 5-i-5= of Fig Fie. 6 is a front view, similar to Fi ,3, show ins a modification;

Fi 7 is a side view of the modification, taken along line 1-4 of Fi 5; and.

.8 is a sectional v ew of the modifi ati n, taken along l'ne gee-Bot Fig, 6.

Th fragmenta views Fi s 1 and zillustrat by way of example, the application or our invent n to a known term of boi er unit havin horizen-tally disposed len ths ofboiler tubes 1-0 arranged in a bank over a Inmat chamber I12 ha i a f ont upri ht defi ing 'W i11=l:3, the tubes 10 being arran ed ver cally spaced rows a shown and bein a arran ed in horizo tall ac d rows cros the w dth of the boiler as is customary. -'lhe tubes in are connect d at thei upp r nd to a t ansverse bo l-er drum L4 t which the upper endsi horizontally spaced up-- i h front fumes? Wa l tube 1.5 are also con.- ne ted, oth r hoflzon elly spaced wail tubes as in i a d y center in s it b be positioned in Wail of the oi er. In the a ra em nt shown closu e un ts 11 arearraneed .ina W opp si e t e spaces l8- between successive wall tu es 15 o p r i he in ertion of a st am lance for e amp o c e ning the walls of bo er tubes 1-!) at op csi ides o ach ntervenin vertical lane Si larclofi re may reinsta l d betwe n side Wall tubes .15; at locations 419 distributed as indicat d in Fig. :1 for example, for cleanins h walls of tubes 10 adjoining ea h horn zonta la Each closu e r lance n r-t unit H compris a out d or a embl i wh ch eco er o door 2. is pivoted to an outer ,frame member 2 to gether with an inner frame member or sleeve .25 having laterally extending mounting flanges or lu s 5 for secu n u i to wa 13, T moun ing l gs p eterably termi a e at appr xi ately t e cente i ii fis of adjacent wal t bes I5 wh e i in ne lees. are clamped to the tubes by nuts 26 threaded on studs zl-sui-tably secured to the tubes.

The frame members- Zl 2A are separably con ect d by car sem 1 :8 and oget er pror d a con n ou lame por or pass e 2 therethmueh in register with t e" ter ne? s ace 18 he a a 2.9 bovi e initia diameter 9.1 2 in" .fo e a ple, a its outer circular end 3.! i fr me member- 2! and fiazlt neto asomewhat larger diameter atthe joint '32 between the meme bers, the passage 29 gradually changing to an elliptical cross-section elongated parallel to wall tubes l5 to a dimension of 7 in., for example, at the inner end 34 of sleeve member 24. When studs 35 are provided on tubes l5 such studs are omitted from the wall tube area opposite the inner end 34 of passage 29. The companionate bolting flanges 36 and 3'! on the outer and inner frame member respectively are preferably separated sufficiently to receive the sheet metal wall casing 38.

Referring to Figs. 3, 4 and 5, the outer door frame member 2| is provided with a bolting flange 36 .of rectangular formation, with holes 39 at the corners for cap screws 28, the diagonals of flang 36 extending at right angles to each other with one diagonal being positioned vertically and thus parallel to wall tubes l5 when assembled as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. The frame member or base plate 2| is preferably formed with a raised rim surrounding the circular outer end 3| of lance port 29 and providing a planar annular door seat 4|. The door 01' cover 23 includes a cup-like body portion 42 of generally circular formation and presenting a planar annular seating surface 43 adapted to seat against the companionate base plate surface 4|. A thin sheet metal disc 44 is fitted within the recessed portion of cover 23, in edge contact only and providing a relatively dead air space 45, to insulate the main body portion 42 from furnace heat.

The door 23 includes an integral arm portion 46 extending radially from the circular body portion 42, while a bolt 41 extending through arm 46 and secured to a laterally extending lug 43 on base plate 2|, suitably by nuts 49 as shown, provides a pivot support for the door permitting door movement about pivotal axis 5| extending normal to the plane of annular door seat 4|.

The door 23 is opened and closed by means of an operating lever or bar 53 having a pin-andsocket connection therewith, the member 53 being pivotally supported on bolt 47 and thus movable about a common axis 5! with the door, and having a circular recess or socket 54 therein, slightly conical in cross section, for engagement with a circular and centrally disposed boss or pin 56 on the body portion 42 of the door. An upstanding lug or bracket 5! integral with base plate 2| is formed with a notch 58 in one side thereof for receiving the free latch end 59 of lever 53 when the door is moved into its closed position, in which position the upper inclined surface 62 of the lever is wedged against the correspondingly inclined keeper surface 63 of notch 58 whereby a force is exerted by the lever against boss 56 to clamp door 23 firmly against its seat 4|. Surfaces 62 and 63 are suitably inclined at an angle of about to the plane of door seat surface 4|.

As indicated in Fig. 5, clearances are provided between adjacent portions of the operating member 53 and door 23 so that the clamping force is applied axially to the rounded tip 64 of boss 56 and thus to only a restricted centrally disposed area of the door, thereby assuring substantially uniform contact throughout the entire door seat area, the height of the boss exceeding the depth of recess 54 and furthermore the tip of the boss being engaged by a substantially fiat surface 65 which forms the base of the recess. The degree of clamping force applied to the cover may be adjusted to suit operating conditions depending, for. example, on the force applied to the lever or bar 53 to rotate it into latching position, the lever having an enlarged projecting portion 61 affording oppositely disposed lateral areas 68 against which a blow may be struck at one side to close the door and at the same time force the bar into clamping position, or at the opposite side to release the bar and at the same time open the door.

The notch 58 is deep enough to allow for a certain amount of wear of the wedging surfaces 62 and 63, although shallow enough to prevent overtravel of the door relative to its seat durin closing movement. Opening movement of door 23 and lever 53 is limited by a stop bar 69 in the form of an angle, with one leg within a conforming recess 12 and clamped between flanges 36 and 31, and the other leg 13 upstanding and positioned for engagement by door arm 46, the leg 13 forming a stop for the door in an open position substantially as indicated by the broken outlien in Fig. 3. The stop bar 69 thus maintains the weight of the lever and door sufiiciently off dead center to hold the door open, and furthermore above the common pivotal axis 5| so that a single blow against an area 68 of lever 53 is sufiicient to return the door to the closed and securely clamped position. Moreover, in the open position as determined by stop bar 69, a portion of door 23 overlaps a portion of door seat 4| to enable the door to be readily returned to the closed position. In this open position also, there is no interference with corresponding movable parts on an adjacent similar closure unit, as indicated toward the left in Fig. 3, thereby permitting close spacing of adjacent units and the provision of ports of at least 2 in. diam. at each of the intertube spaces between tubes arranged at spacings as close as 6 in. center-to-center. In order that the weight of the lever and door may be maintained at a suitable distance off dead center when open and at the same time prevent interference with a closely adjacent unit, it is desirable to locate the pivotal axis 5| about as shown, at an angle A of about 5 below the line of symmetry of the door frame member 2|,

the displacement from the vertical thus bein about 40.

Figs. 6, 7 and 8 illustrate a modified form of lance door assembly similar in construction and operation to the embodiment already described although somewhat more compact and lighter in weight for a given size of lance opening. Parts of similar construction and function are accordingly designated by corresponding reference numerals supplemented in each case by the lettersufiix a. In the modified form, the outer frame member or base plate 2|a is provided with a circular bolting flange 36a with holes 39a for cap screws 28 circumferentially spaced and on horizontal and vertical axes as previously. In this form, the bolt 41a which forms the common pivot support for the door 230. and operating lever 53a is screwed into the base plate lug 48a, thereby obviating the need of locking nuts formerly required. An additional distinction is that the base plate 2 la includes an integral stop member in the form of a radially extending rib 15 for limiting the opening movement of door 23a. It will be further noted that the arm 46a on door 23a includes a lateral extension 16 which carries an integral projection or stop pin 18 which whenbrought into engagement with the stop rib 15 determines the limit of door opening movement, the position of pin 18 relative to the stop rib I5 in the open position or door 23a indicated by the broken outline in 6.

The modified form or operating lever is formed with an oblong projection extending transversely of its len th and positioned directly over the centrally positioned recess t le and cover boss Diagonally o ions of P jection are cut lo as shown to provide clearance jacent closure unit to permit the lever ci -a and door to be swung into fully open positions. The projection 'lil provides fiat striking areas lit opposite ends against which a blow may be stru at one end for moving the door 23c into its closed, seated position, and. the opposite end for releasing the door its seated posrion at the time moving it into its fully open position.

While in accord nee t. h the provisions or" the statutes we have .ust d and. described herein the best forms of our ir entl' "1 now lrnown to us those skilled in the understand that chang s may he made in the tort of the apparatus disclosed thout departing from the spirit of the invention covered by our claims, and that certain features of our ..1ve: on may sometimes be used to advantage Without corresponding use of other features.

We claim:

1. A closure unit comprising a frame formed with an opening therein and providing a door seat peripherally of said opening in a plane transverse to the axial extent of said opening, a door for said opening slidably movable with respect to said seat, said door including a body portion of symmetrical formation about a central axis and arranged to engage said seat throughout the perimeter of said opening in the closed position of said door, a door operating bar for moving said door, means at one side of said door seat pivotlng said bar for movement of said door parallel to the plane of said seat, said door having an arm pivoted on said pivoting means for movement in a plane also parallel to said door seat whereby said bar and said arm are pivoted about a com mon pivotal axis, means continuously coupling said bar to said door to effect door opening and closing movement directly in response to pivotal movement of said bar, means including said bar for continuously preventing displacement of said door longitudinally of said pivotal axis, and stationary means on said frame engageable by said bar in the closed position of said door for applying a, force to said door clamping said body portion against said seat, said coupling means connecting the inner face of said bar to the outer face of said door and being centrally arranged With respect to said body portion for transmission of said clamping force along said central axis, said means coupling said bar to said door being formed as a pin-and-socket connection comprising a pin of circular cross-section projecting axially outwardly from the body portion of said door and received in a circular socket formed in said bar, said pin having an axial length greater than the depth of said socket and contacting only the base of said socket while maintaining all other portions of said door spaced from said bar.

2. A closure unit comprising a frame having a circular opening therein and providing an annular door seat peripherally of said opening in a plane transverse to the axial extent of said opening, a door for said opening slldably movable with respect to said seat, said door including a body portion of circular formation about a central axis and arranged to engage seat throughout the perimeter of said opening in the closed position of said door, a door operating her for moving said door, means at one side of said door seat pivoting said bar for movement of said door parallel to the plane of said seat, said door having an arm pivoted on said pivoting means for movement In a plane also parallel to door seat whereby said bar and said arm are pivoted about a common pivotal axis, means continuously coupling said to said door to effect door opening and closing movement directly in response to pivotal movement of said bar, means including said bar for continuously preventing displacement of said door longitudinally of sale pivotal axis, stationary catch means on said frame formed with a i i edging inner surface engageable by said bar in the closed position of said door for applying a force to said door clamping said body portion against said seat, said coupling means connecting the inner face of said bar to the outer face of said door and being centrally arranged with respect to said body portion for transmission of said clampin force along said central axis, and stop means associated with said frame and cooperating with said arm at a location int mediate the length of said arm for limiting door opening movement to a position wherein door is clear of said opening While overlapping a portion of said seat.

8. A closure unit as defined in claim 2 wherein said step means is formed a a member secured in fixed relation to said frame and havin a portion extending rem the plane of said seat into the path of movement of said arm.

l. A closure unit as defined in claim 2 wherein said stop means is formed on said frame as a rib extending radially between said pivoting means and said frame opening, said door including a projection extending toward said frame and adapted to contact said rib upon movement of said door into said specified open position.

FRANK X. GILG. JOHN C. SINGLETON, JR.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 664,775 Penfleld Dec. 25, 1900 1,200,922 Connolly Oct. 10, 1916 l,e87,518 Nichols et a1. Mar. 18, 1924 1,494,745 Griffin et a1. May 20, 192% 1,508,894 Morrison ept. 16, 1924 1,543,742 Babitzky June 30, 1925 1,584,751 Wells May 18, 1926 1,67%,775 Lochak Aug. 7, 1928 1,896,330 Pluppel d. Feb. 7, 1933 1,940,685 Lenfeste Dec. 26, 1333 2,483,256 Berg Sept. 27, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 126,080 Germany Mar. 26, 1901 

